CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP
REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE B 2 BAYERN MINCHA 3
Trailing to efforts from Ben Sollosi and Lee Cutler with just 20 minutes remaining, Bayern battled back from the brink thanks to goals from Philipe Auret, Matan Ozin and Sam Leader.
Bayern played some nice football in the first half, but they weren't able to create anything clear cut against an organised Redbridge defence. But it was the hosts who forged ahead after 20 minutes, after a ball over the top led to a defensive mix-up between the Bayern keeper and full-back, as Sollosi sneaked in to put them 1-0 up.
Redbridge doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time as Gav Nussbaum headed clear to the edge of the box, but it dropped to Cutler who finished well into the bottom left corner.
Bayern looked more dangerous at the start of the second half, but still nothing too clear-cut was created. Top-scorer Adam Ellis had a stunning effort which smacked the crossbar and they were unable to convert a brilliant cross which rolled across the Redbridge box and was begging to be tapped in.
But just when it looked like it wasn't going to be Bayern's day, the stunning comeback erupted courtesy of a tactical shift. Player-manager Daniel Holder came on into the central midfield role, while captain Dayan was moved into the false 9 position, with Ellis and Auret moved to the wings and causing havoc.
Ellis then ran down the wing of a tiring Redbridge defence and his cross was converted by Auret for his second goal in consecutive games. Bayern were on top and in the 83rd minute the Redbridge keeper picked up a back-pass. The resulting free-kick was smashed across goal, and left-back Matan Ozin calmly slotted in his first ever Mincha goal.
The momentum kept up waves of attacks, and Bayern were awarded a corner in the 88th minute. The ball was played short and Samuel Leader cut inside and unleashed a phenomenal scorcher of a shot into the top corner from 30 yards.
"After a torrid few months, we finally got our win, and what a way to do it,” said Bayern joint-manager Daniel Holder.
“Overall, I think we just about edged it, but credit to Redbridge for a great game and we wish them luck for the season where they chase promotion."
Commenting on Leader's winner, Holder added: "It was an astonishing goal, worthy of winning any game and to pull that off in the last few minutes was superb.
"We hope to use this win to get us back on track in the league with a much-needed confidence boost, whilst a cup run is also very much on.”
Redbridge boss Richard Bronzite described the manner of the defeat as “annoying”. He went on to say: “It’s only a cup game and if Poch doesn’t care about cups then why should? The league is the one that matters to us.
"We had the chances to wrap the game up but didn’t take them. In the end our age told like it has in every game so far, and Bayern were full of energy.
"Well played to them for keeping going. We can now put our feet up and have a couple of weeks rest and start 2019 even older!"
